CORVALLIS, Ore. — In fall, gardeners tuck bulbs beneath a blanket of soil and wait for spring to enjoy their brilliant blooms. While planting directly in the ground is traditional, bulbs can thrive just as well — and sometimes better — in containers.
“It’s easy to create a stunning display that bursts into bloom in the spring or early summer,” said Heather Stoven, Oregon State University Extension horticulturist. “But bulbs don’t have to be in the ground to be effective. A pot works just as well.”
In fact, containers often provide better drainage, which is critical for the long-term health of many bulbs. Pots also help protect bulbs from gophers and other pests, which tend to target garden-planted tulips and other favorites.
Pack in the color
Stoven recommends packing containers full of bulbs for a dramatic show. Try layering bulbs of different sizes and bloom times to extend the season and add visual interest. A 14- to 20-inch wide pot can easily hold 20 to 30 bulbs or more.
“Although you can put each kind of bulb in a different pot, mixing them up provides an extravagant display,” she said.
Start with early bloomers like crocus, followed by various types of tulips — including species tulips, which are smaller and more likely to return each year. Narcissus and daffodils are also great choices, especially if you select early- and late-blooming varieties to extend color into early summer.
Other excellent bulbs for pots include:
- Alliums (stick with taller types; shorter ones can spread aggressively)
- Brodiaea
- Hyacinths
- Fritillaria
- Dwarf iris, which also prefer excellent drainage
Stoven noted that grape hyacinth tends to dominate in pots and may not be the best choice for mixed arrangements.
Potting tips
- Use a clean, well-draining potting mix, preferably fresh. If reusing soil, add bulb fertilizer and be aware of potential disease carryover.
- Plant bulbs tip up at the recommended depth (usually found on packaging).
- Layer bulbs:
- Fill the container a little more than halfway with soil.
- Add large bulbs like daffodils and place them closely together, leaving only about half an inch between each.
- Add more soil and insert medium-sized bulbs like tulips.
- Top off with smaller bulbs such as crocus, then cover with soil and water thoroughly.
Place the pot in a protected outdoor spot where it will get a cold period, essential for flower development. However, if temperatures drop below 28 to 30 degrees, move pots temporarily indoors to prevent freezing. Larger pots are more insulated and less prone to freeze through.
After the bloom
Once green shoots appear, move pots into bright light and fertilize with a slow-release product once blooms begin to appear.
After flowering ends, let the foliage die back naturally to replenish the bulbs. At that point, you can either:
- Remove and replant the bulbs in the garden in fall, or
- Leave them in the container, where they’ll remain dormant until next season
Either way, bulbs need minimal care during dormancy, only requiring water once fall growth resumes.
Previously titled Pot up some bulbs and dream of spring
